BOWLING GREEN — Commencement is a meaningful time for graduates and their parents but for DeAnte Shivers, walking clad in a cap and gown to the sound of pomp and circumstance, was significantly emotional.
Mr. Shivers’ mother, who urged him to finish college, died before he could receive his degree. Because of that, he held her picture to his chest Saturday as he walked with his fellow 2,327 Bowling Green State University graduates.
“She was my biggest inspiration and when times got hard, she always told me things would be OK,” Mr. Shivers, 25, of Detroit, said. “I was out of school for 2½ years and she told me: ‘Just finish.’ When she passed, that night, I promised her I would finish no matter what, and since she couldn’t be there physically, I brought her picture with me.”
PHOTO GALLERY: BGSU commencement
Other graduates shared stories of working long hours off campus, living in cramped conditions, or amassing massive debt in the pursuit of that degree from the university that straddles I-75 in the heart of Wood County. Most were optimistic about the job market and not overly gloomy about student debt.
Daniel Gerken of Napoleon plans to move to Baltimore soon to start his career.
“I am looking into advertising,” said Mr. Gerken, 22, who graduated with honors and majored in film production. “I had a fair amount of scholarships so I have a manageable amount of debt.”
Gregory Thomas of Cleveland paced the back of BGSU’s Stroh Center waiting to see his daughter, Cherise Thomas, receive her diploma.
Like thousands of parents crammed into the arena, Mr. Thomas could not conceal his smile, enthusiasm, and joy.
“I am trying to steer her to law school right now,” Mr. Thomas said.
BGSU President Mary Ellen Mazey lauded the graduates for their accomplishment and thanked their family members for their support.
The graduating class included 79 students who received associate degrees, 1,808 presented with bachelor’s degrees, 404 master’s degrees, and 32 doctoral degrees. Of the undergraduates, 664 also received honors based on high grade-point averages. Their ages range from 18 to 68, Ms. Mazey said.
“The value of the BGSU degree you’re about to receive has never been higher,” she said.
“We continue to be ranked as a tier-one, national university by U.S. News & World Report, [and] the Economist ranks BGSU first among public universities in Ohio for boosting graduates’ earnings 10 years after college.”
U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral June E. Ryan, the commencement speaker, graduated from BGSU in 1985 with a bachelor’s of science degree in biology and now serves as the Ninth Coast Guard District commander.
“Be laser-focused,” she told the graduates. “Concentrate your talents and magnify them into a single light and share them with the world,” she said.
“Be a mentor and be that shining example.... Regardless of where the wind sends you, if you want to be a leader in the world, be a beacon.”
Contact Ignazio Messina at: imessina@theblade.com or 419-724-6171 or on Twitter @IgnazioMessina.
First Published May 7, 2017, 6:12 a.m.
